HOW TO PLAY CHEAPER GOLF
Golf Monthly|May 2022
With the cost of living rising markedly in 2022, we look at various ways you can save money on green fees so you can play more of the game you love
JEREMY ELLWOOD
HOW TO PLAY CHEAPER GOLF

Despite some non-golfers still believing that golf is only a sport for the well-off, it doesn’t have to be expensive. It can be, of course, and just as with all the best things in life, whether cars, houses, clothes or whatever, the very best golf courses tend to cost the most, especially when they reside on the comfortable side of the supply and demand equation. This means that many, though not all, of the courses in the current Golf Monthly Top 100 rankings will be expensive – perhaps too expensive for many – though there are ways to enjoy the experience for less for those able or prepared to be flexible over timings (e.g. low-season rates, shoulder-season rates, twilight rates). But there are also probably more places – and ways – to play golf relatively cheaply now than ever before.

As we all know, though, the cost of living is going up, most significantly in the UK via huge increases in our energy bills. This, and rising costs elsewhere, means many will be having to save money somewhere to balance the family books. Factor in that many golf clubs increased both green fees and membership fees following golf’s well-documented membership boom during the pandemic and finding ways to keep playing as economically as possible is becoming ever harder.

Harder, but not impossible, for there are still several ways to keep playing for less (including some of the very best courses) if you’re prepared to be a little more flexible, or in some instances, a member of a golf club and/or fortunate enough to live in the right part of the country…

Twilight rates

This story is from the May 2022 edition of Golf Monthly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2022 edition of Golf Monthly.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM GOLF MONTHLYView All
"I'm just trying to inspire people to play golf”
Golf Monthly

"I'm just trying to inspire people to play golf”

Golf Monthly meets social media sensation Mia Baker, who is on a mission to get more people into golf... and smiling all the way

time-read
10 mins  |
September 2023
A PLACE ΤΟ YOURSELF
Golf Monthly

A PLACE ΤΟ YOURSELF

Jeremy Ellwood discovers the Old Millhouse in Dalkeith to be the perfect away-from-it-all base for exploring the East Lothian coast's many fine links

time-read
7 mins  |
September 2023
Border patrol
Golf Monthly

Border patrol

Andy Wright ventures due east from his Troon base for a stay at Macdonald Hotels' Cardrona resort in the Borders near Peebles

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2023
Moortown
Golf Monthly

Moortown

Golf fans know that Dr Alister Mackenzie was the man responsible for Augusta National; many will also be aware that the surgeon-turned-course architect first honed his design skills on his home patch close to Leeds.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2023
Rickie Fowler
Golf Monthly

Rickie Fowler

The 34-year-old American is back in form and eager to share his favourite tee-to-green tips

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2023
How to cure the chipping yips
Golf Monthly

How to cure the chipping yips

INSTRUCTION - SAVE PAR

time-read
1 min  |
September 2023
Beef up your ball flight
Golf Monthly

Beef up your ball flight

INSTRUCTION - FAULT FIXER

time-read
1 min  |
September 2023
HYBRID MASTERCLASS
Golf Monthly

HYBRID MASTERCLASS

Top 50 Coach Lysa Jones explains how to make the most of this versatile club

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2023
The great debate
Golf Monthly

The great debate

Nick Bonfield explores the concept of greatness in professional golf and ponders how it should be defined

time-read
6 mins  |
September 2023
BREAKING the mould
Golf Monthly

BREAKING the mould

To mark shoe giant FootJoy's 100th anniversary, Neil Tappin flies out to its HQ near Boston to find out more about the brand's past and future, before setting up tent in the buzzing campsite it sponsors at The Open

time-read
7 mins  |
September 2023